Method and apparatus for taking X-ray photographs



Dec. 27, 1938. F. o. GAM BLE METHOD AND Filed March 4, 1957 APPARATUSFOR TAKING X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHS Patented Dec. 27, 1938 'UNITED STATESMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TAKING X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHS Felton 0. Gamble,Westmont, N. J.

Application March 4, 1937, Serial No. 129,067

16 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method of taking X-ray photographsand the apparatus whereby such method may be carried out. The inventionwill be hereinafter described more particularly with relation to its usein foot orthopedics, but as will be clear to those skilled in the art,it may be used for other purposes as, for example, the taking ofradiographs of a patients knee for diagnostic purposes.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedmethod of taking X-ray photographs, particularly of the feet whereby theradiographs of both feet in weightbearing position may be taken inelevation on the same X-ray film for the purpose of comparison, one withthe other, the images upon the X-ray film being accurately positionedwith relation to each other preferably with their plantar borders injuxtaposition.

A further object is to provide an improved cabinet adapted particularlyfor use in taking radiographs of the above general character, in whichthe radiographs of the feet, for example, may be taken in weight-bearingposition, thereby better to determine and diagnose the static condition.

A further object is to provide a cabinet of the above general character,in which the cassette may be positioned with respect to the X- ray tube,with a portion sealed and protected for future exposure While oneexposure is being made.

A further object is to provide a substantial and inexpensive cabinet ofthe above general 5 character, in which both lateral and dorsoplantarviews of the feet may be taken in weightbearing position.

A further object is to provide a cabinet of the above character in whichviews of the feet or other parts may be taken in recumbent position,such as would be necessary to examine an injured part.

A further object is to provide a cabinet of the above character whichmay be easily and quickly converted for fiuoroscoping.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawing and inpart hereinafter indicated in connection with the following analysis ofthis invention.

This invention accordingly consists in the various steps of the methodand relationof each to the other, and in the features of construction ofthe apparatus, the combination of parts, and in the unique relation ofthe mem- 5 bers and in the relative proportioning and dispositionthereof, all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art more fully to comprehend theunderlying features of this invention, that they may embody the same bynumerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by thisinvention, a drawing depicting a. preferred form of the invention hasbeen annexed as part of this disclosure, in Which- Fig. 1 is a plan viewof the complete cabinet, the X-ray tube being indicated diagrammaticallyat one side;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal and approximately central sectional view of thecabinet shown in Fig. 1 and taken substantially on theline 3--3 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view near the left hand end, Fig. 1and taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken just beneath the top, Fig. 2 andtaken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view;

Fig. 6 is a view representing an exposed film.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and more particularly to Figs. 1and 5, the cabinet comprises a box approximately 2'x3' in top area, and1 in height, the top H) of X-ray transparent material being divided intotwo parts, one being substantially twice the size of the other andseparated by an elongated slot H for receiving a cassette I2 of anydesired dimensions.

The right-hand portion of the top or cover it as viewed in Fig. 1 isdivided into quadrants scaled from medial or coordinate lines as clearlyindicated, each quadrant being approximately '7" square, and upon whichthe feet may be placed as indicated by R and L, as when taking lateralor elevational views of the feet or in the position R and L when takingdorsoplantar views, or viewed fluoroscopically.

The right-hand wall of the cabinet as shown in Fig. 2 is provided with adoor 53 adapted to swing inwardly as on hinges M and provided with ahandle or knob 15 whereby the door may be conveniently swung into thecabinet to permit access to the interior of the cabinet or spaceindicated by the numeral 16. This chamber is used for housing an X-raytube as and when theapparatus is used for fiuoroscoping purposes ashereinafter explained.

The upper part of this chamber is adapted to hold a tray I! which may beslid outwardly by grasping handles l8, suitable guides l9 being providedupon which this tray slides in any desired manner. This tray iscoordinated as shown in Fig. 4 in the same manner as the coordination ontop of the cabinet as shown in Fig. 1. Thus the cassette I2 containingthe X-ray film may be placed on any part of this tray but usuallycentrally with respect to the zero point of the coordinants, after whichthe patient stands upon the cover In with the feet in the same desiredlocation with respect to the zero coordinants on the cover of thecabinet, thus insuring the images being reproduced upon the film withinthe cassette in the same relative is: cation on the film. In otherwords, if the feet as shown in Fig. 1, indicated by the characters L andR, extend from the line 3 at one side to the line 4 on the other side ofthe transverse zero line and closely adjacent the zero line in theopposite direction, then if the cassette is similarly located orpositioned upon the tray I! the image will be recorded in the samelocation on the film.

The left-hand side of the cabinet as viewed in Fig; 2 is provided with amovable cassette support indicated at 20, which may be raised or loweredvertically to any desired amount by means of knobs 2|, at opposite sidesof the cabinet (Fig. 4) which frictionally coact with guide plates 22.The cassette support 20 is provided at both sides with pointers 23coacting with scales 24 for convenience (Fig, 5). Thus if the cassettesupport is lowered until the point-er indicates the numeral 5, forexample, then it is known that the cassette I2 is below the undersurface of the top cover to the cabinet to an extent of 5" and that thearea of the cassette protected by the lead covered partition 25 will notbe affected by the X-rays from the tube 32. This depth of non-exposurecan beregulated to any reasonable extent according to circumstances andthe size of the film being used.

In the upper portion of the cabinet there is provided a cassette holderwhich, as here shown, comprises a transverse strip 21 adapted to slideon rods 28 near the ends and to beactuated by -means of a knob 30provided with. a reactive spring 3| normally urging the bar or strip 2'!towards the right, thereby to hold the cassette snugly against thepartition 25.

When it is desired to take lateral views of one or both feet, inweight-bearing position, the patient stands upon the cabinet with thefeet in the position of R and L (both Figs. 1 and 2) the cassette [2being positioned therebetween. The tube indicated diagrammatically at 32causes its X-rays to pass through the left foot marked L and theexposure is recorded upon the upper or exposed half of the film withinthe cassette l2, thus giving a lateral view of the left foot and clearlydisclosing the lateral view of his orthopedic condition. After theexposure has been made, then the patient reverses his position, the feetpointing in the opposite direction to Rand L (Fig. 1), and the cassetteis turned upside down, that is, the half, or portion previously exposedis lowered into or through the slot II to a position behind theprotecting partition 25 and rests upon cassette support 20. A secondexposure is now made, this time on the right foot, which is recordedupon the same film. This brings the plantar borders in juxtaposition asclearly shown in the diagrammatic view, Fig. 6. Thus the exposures ofboth .feet may be compared at one time which is particularlyadvantageous in diagnosing any foot condition such as congenitaldeformities, acquired deformities, fallen arch conditions, or the like.

By having the cassette support 20 vertically adjustable any size filmmay be used and the scales permit an accurate positioning of the filmmerely by setting the scale to an indication preferably equal to halfthe Width of the film. Likewise the medial coordinate line upon thecover 10 permits the film to be centered with respect to the feet.

When the device is used merely for fluoroscopic purposes the-X-ray tubeis inserted into the cabinet through the open door l3 while the patientstands with the feet in the position indicated by a reversal of theposition L, R (Fig. 1), under which conditions they may be viewedthrough the usual hand fluoroscopic screen in the well known manner.

From the above it will thus be seen that the present apparatus providesa novel method of taking X-ray photographs, particularly of a patientsfoot, whereby either lateral or dorsoplantar views of both feet may betaken on the same film in weight bearing position. The cabl net itselfisof simple, practical and substantial construction, so graduated andcoordinated to permit the patients feet to be placed accurately in anydesired position with respect to the film within the cassette upon whichthe exposure is to be made. With simple manipulation of the adjustingdevices and scales any desired size film may be used with the definiteassurance that it will be properly positioned with respect to the partto be examined.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthis invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,- readilyadapt it for various applications without omitting certain featuresthat, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention,and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. The herein described method of taking X-ray photographs, whichconsists in concealing and protecting a portion of a film while theother portion is exposed to record one of two feet in normal standing orweight-supporting position, then concealing and protecting the exposedportion of the film by reversing the same, reversing the position of thefeet and making an exposure of the other foot on the previouslyconcealed portion of the film for the purpose of comparison.

2. The herein described method of taking X- ray photographs of the feetin normal standing or weight-supporting position, which consists inprotecting substantially one-half of a film while exposing the other toX-rays passing through one foot and then reversing the position of thefilm and the feet with respect to the protector while taking a secondimage of the other foot on the same film with the plantar borders injuxtaposition.

3. The herein described method of taking X-ray photographs of a patientstwo feet in normal standing or weight-supporting position, whichconsists in protecting one-half of the film against X-rays whileexposing the other half in taking a photograph of one foot, thenreversing [the position of the feet and the position of the film to takea second exposure of the other foot upon the other half of the film,with the plantar borders in juxtaposition.

4. In a cabinet of the character described, in combination, a platformhaving a slot in its upper surface upon which a person may stand withfeet on opposite sides of the slot, a laterally movable member beneaththe upper surface of the cabinet adapted to engage a cassette whenplaced in said slot and to hold the same against lateral movement, andmeans for supporting the cassette against vertical movement.

5. In a cabinet of the character described, in combination, a platformhaving a slot in its upper surface upon which a person may stand withfeet on opposite sides of the slot, a laterally movable member beneaththe upper surface of the cabinet adapted to engage a cassette whenplaced in said slot and to hold the same against lateral movement, andmeans for supporting the cassette against vertical movement, saidlast-mentioned means being vertically adjustable.

6. In a cabinet of the character described, in combination, a platformhaving a slot in its upper surface upon which a person may stand withfeet on opposite sides of the slot, a laterally movable member beneaththe upper surface of the cabinet adapted to engage a cassette whenplaced in said slot and to hold the same against lateral movement, meansfor supporting the cassette against vertical movement, and a partitionbeneath the top of the cabinet adapted to protect a part of the cassetteextending into said slot against X-ray exposure.

7. In a cabinet of the character described, in combination, a platformhaving a slot in its upper surface upon which a person may stand withfeet on opposite sides of the slot, a laterally movable member beneaththe upper surface of the cabinet adapted to engage a cassette whenplaced in said slot and to hold the same against lateral movement, and apartition beneath the top of the cabinet adapted to protect that part ofthe cassette extending into said slot against X-ray exposure, and meansfor regulating and determining the extent to which the cassette may beinserted in said slot.

8. The herein described method of taking X-ray photographs whichconsists in the steps of concealing and protecting a portion of a filmby a ray-proof wall extending below the level of a weight supportingplatform, while the other portion of the film extends free of anyencumberance while it is exposed, recording the weightsupporting imageof a persons feet in substantially normal standing position and thenutilizing the unexposed portion of the film for a simi lar recording bymerely reversing the position of the film and the feet with respect tothe protector.

9. The herein described method of taking X-ray photographs of the feetin substantially normal standing weight-bearing position, or partsthereof, which consists in the steps of protecting substantiallyone-half of a film behind a rayproof wall while exposing the other toX-rays passing through one foot or part thereof, and then reversing theposition of the film with respect to the protector, positioning the filmaccurately with respect to the foot or part thereof by fixing the filmbehind the ray-proof wall, accurate positioning being facilitated byhaving the unexposed portion extending free and unencumbered above theweight-bearing plane while taking a second image of the other foot orpart thereof on the same film after reversal with the plantar borders injuxtaposition.

10. The herein described method of taking X-ray photographs of apatients two feet in substantially normal standing weight-bearingposition, which consists in the protection of onehalf of the filmagainst X-rays while exposing the other one-half of the film in taking aphotograph of one foot, then reversing the position of the feet and theposition of the film to take a second exposure of the other foot uponthe other half of the film, with the plantar borders in juxtapositionwhile protecting that portion of the film first exposed.

11. A cabinet of the character described comprising a platform uponwhich a patient stands in approximately natural weight-bearing positionhaving an opening slot in the weight-supporting surface of the platformadapted to receive a cassette in a vertical plane with a portion of thefilm extending free and unencumbered above the weight-bearing plane andbetween the patients feet and with a substantial portion of the cassetteextending into the cabinet and protected from X-ray exposure, and a wallimpermeable to X-ray radiations for giving such protection.

12. A cabinet of the character described comprising a platform uponwhich a patient stands in approximately natural weight-bearing positionhaving an opening slot adapted to receive a cassette in a vertical planewith a portion of the film extending free and unencumbered above theweight-bearing plane and between the patients feet and with asubstantial portion of the cassette extending into the cabinet andprotected from X-ray exposure, a wall impermeable to X-ray radiationsfor giving such protection, and means for determining the extent towhich the cassette may be insert-ed in the slot.

13. A cabinet of the character described comprising a platform uponwhich a patient stands in approximately natural weight-bearing positionhaving an opening slot adapted to receive a cassette in a vertical planewith a portion of a film extending free and unencumbered above theweight-bearing plane and between the patients feet and with asubstantial portion of the cassette extending into the cabinet protectedfrom X-ray exposure, a wall impermeable to X-ray radiations for givingsuch protection, and means for holding the cassette in fixed verticalposition, said means being contained within the cabinet whereby thatportion of the cassette above the weight-bearing plane may be free andunencumbered and yet in a definite fixed vertical position.

14. A cabinet of the character described comprising a platform uponwhich a patient stands in approximately natural weight-bearing positionhaving an opening slot in its weight-supporting surface, a laterallymovable member beneath the upper surface of the cabinet adapted toengage automatically a cassette when placed in said slot and to hold thesame by frictional pressure against lateral or vertical movement, andmeans for supporting the cassette in any desired vertical position.

15. A cabinet of the character described comprising a platform uponwhich a patient stands in approximately natural weight-bearing positionhaving a slot in its upper surface, a laterally movable member beneaththe upper surface of the cabinet adapted to engage a cassette whenplaced vertically in said slot. and to hold the same by frictionalpressure against lateral movement or vertical movement, and adjustablemeans engaging the lower edge of the cassette for determining the depthto which the cassette is placed in said slot.

16. A cabinet of the character described comprising a platform uponwhich a patient stands in approximately natural weight-bearing positionhaving a slot in-its-upper surface,a laterally movable member beneaththe upper surface of the'cabinet adapted to engage a cassette whenplaced in said slot and to hold the same by frictional pressure againstlateral movement or vertical movement, and a partition beneath the topof the cabinet adapted to protect any desired part of the film fromexposure.

FELTON O. GAMBLE.

